Is Resurrection For All?
Will everybody experience resurrection?
No, if you take at face value what you hear in this Sunday’s first reading: But for you there will be no resurrection to life! (2 Macc 7:14). The ‘you’ is a despotic king and his sadistic torturers. One suspects the list could easily be lengthened. Again at face value, today’s gospel reading reinforces this view: those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead … (Lk 20:35). The implication is clear: some won’t be considered worthy of resurrection. So, what happens those?
Basing its views on Jn 5:28-29 the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: ‘All the dead will rise, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.’(Par.998).
We describe death as the separation of soul and body – not knowing really what either is. The body decomposes conveniently, but what about that soul? Where is it until it rises with its glorified body? Why does it need one? Do those who ‘rise’ to judgment also have one? If not, what do they have? Silly questions? Maybe. But allow me one more: what’s the difference between unquestioned faith and fundamentalism? Over to you!
Exploring the Scriptures
A course on Sacred Scripture which is also open to new members. St. Kieran’s College. 10.30am–12.30pm on 13th, 20th, 27th November and 4th, 11th, 18th December.
Peace in Christ
This weekend’s church gate collection is for Peace in Christ, our diocesan retreat house which celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year. Please support.
Mass For Deceased INTO
Mass for deceased members of the INTO will be held at the Capuchin Friary Church at 7:30pm on Monday 12th November.
Questions People Ask
Q. What did Jesus mean when he said that, in the resurrection of the dead, people do not marry, because they can no longer die?
A. The journey to marriage begins in two people being attracted to one another. This arises out of each one’s incompleteness … ‘it is not good for man to be alone’. The word sex originates in the Latin word for a section or an incomplete part. It is nature’s way of ensuring the reproduction of the human race. In the perfect love which is heaven, there will be no incompleteness and, obviously, no need to reproduce. I believe that the loving relationships which are formed on earth will continue in heaven, in a way even beyond our greatest expectations.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
New Readers
Thanks to those who volunteered to proclaim the Word of God in church each weekend. The coordinators have met and the new rosters will be available for the First Sunday of Advent - 2nd December. We appreciate this valuable ministry to the people of the parish.
Prayer for Our New Bishop
In preparation for the ordination of our new bishop, Monsignor Séamus Freeman, there will be a special service of Evening Prayer of the Church at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on Friday, 30th November. During the service the bishop’s symbols of office (ring, crozier, pectoral cross and mitre) will be blessed.
Each parish in the diocese has been asked to hold an individual service but, because of our proximity to the Diocesan Cathedral we believe it would be more meaningful to hold a combined service for the four city parishes. We invite all to come along and pray for our new bishop on the weekend of his ordination.
Prayer for the New Bishop
O God, by the gift of your grace alone, you call your servant and priest, Séamus Freeman, to oversee the Church of Ossory. Enable him to carry out worthily the office and ministry of Bishop.
Grant that under your constant guidance he may lead by word and example the people entrusted to his care.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We are asked to keep Mgr. Freeman in our prayers at this time. The above is the prayer to be said throughout the diocese.
All Night Vigil
The people of Callan – Monsignor Freeman’s home parish – are organising an all night vigil on the eve of Monsignor Freeman’s ordination. The service will be at Coolagh Church culminating with 9.00am Mass on Sunday, 2nd December. All are invited to attend all or some of the vigil. More details later.
Remembrance Service
There will be a special Parish Remembrance Service on Thursday, 29th November for all the faithful departed but especially for all those who died in our parish in the past year . We invite all bereaved to take part in this service which will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm. Please place the names of your beloved dead in the baskets before the altars in each church.
Pray for the Deceased
Recent Deaths: Mary Mulrooney, Aughtanny. Henrietta Hyland, Ormonde Road. Sr. Borgia Fitzpatrick, St. John of God, Waterford. Paddy Lopez, S.O.S. Retirement Home, The Sycamores.
Anniversaries: Mary Millea (Sat 6:15), Julia O’Carroll (Sat 7:00), Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9:30), Connor O’Brien (Sun 10:00), May Muldowney (Sun 10:30), Jim Cantwell (Sun 11:00), Pat Fahy (Sun 12:00), Martin Brett (Sun 12:30), John Kelly (Tue 10:30), Margaret Cantwell, James Leahy, Richard Phelan, Henry Tiernan, Dymphna Condon, Billy, Mary-Ann & Jeffrey Brennan, Anne & Kathleen Conway, Ellen Hickey, Andy Egan, James Maher.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Mary & Ann O’Shea (Sat 6:15), Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 7pm), Patrick Morris (Sun 9:30), John Brennan (Sun 10am), Kitty & John McMyler (Sun 10:30), Margaret (Madge) O’Brien (Sun 11am), John Byrne (Sun 12:00), Deceased Members of the Brass and Reed Band (12.30)
November Offering
The November Offering for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is now due. Please use the second of the green envelopes that you will have received with your parish contribution pack earlier.
We are grateful for your generous support of us priests. During November, each priest will offer 9 Masses each for the deceased faithful of our parish. Thanks once again.
Parish Registration
As a result of recent appeals a number of new parishioners have registered with the parish office. Welcome to all of you - its good to know that we are a growing and thriving parish.
In an ideal world the priests would know all our parishioners by name. However, with over nine thousand parishioners, we are the largest parish in the diocese and we have only three priests. Registering with the parish at least provides us with the opportunity to have some contact with our parishioners and to get to know their needs. While registration is not strictly necessary it does open the door when approaches are made for baptisms, wedding papers, funerals and other parish services. For example, the priests have been asked to provide “Letters of Freedom” and “Prenuptial Enquiry Forms” by residents of the parish preparing for Church marriages. This can lead to difficulties and embarrassment when people are not registered in the parish.
Up-to-date demographic details help us to make realistic plans for the future development of services for our parish; they enable us to draw down appropriate grants and resources and budget for parish growth.
Our parish is registered under the relevant Data Protection Acts and information will never be passed to others or used for purposes other than the running of St. Patrick’s Parish. Please call the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you would like to register.
Parish Centre
Thanks to a number of people who recently made donations or signed standing orders for the regular support of the parish centre. We appreciate every little bit of help from parishioners and from those who live outside The Village but who use our services. Together we are working to build up facilities which will cater for all the needs of the local community.
Castle Park Playground
A group of parents objecting to the closure of the playground in the Castle Park ask for your support in compiling a petition to the OPW. They will petition outside the churches next weekend.
St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band
The annual Mass for the deceased members of the band will be celebrated on Sunday, 18th November at 12.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church. The band members extend an invitation to all families and friends of past and present members to attend.
125th Anniversary Concert
Of the St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will take place on Sunday 25th November at Cillin Hill, Carlow Road, Kilkenny (New Mart Venue) at 8pm. Adm: €20. Special Guests: The Kilkenny Gospel Choir and the Army Band of the Southern Command.
Humour
Seen on a notice board: ‘How will you spend eternity, smoking or non-smoking?’
